WICHITA POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY MANUAL POLICY 214 DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT I. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to designate the uniform to be worn by department personnel and the circumstances when it is to be worn as well as ensure that the public instantly recognizes all officers representing the Wichita Police Department. II. POLICY The Wichita Police Department recognizes different uniforms that can be worn (when approved) by members of the organization. The official WPD uniform is worn by police officers, uniformed services officers, warrant officers, security officers, security screeners and station clerks. III. PROCEDURES A. Department “Class A” Uniform The Department “Class A” uniform shall consist of the following: 1. Long sleeved approved 100% wool WPD shirt 2. Approved 100% wool WPD trousers, with a black trouser belt 3. Black socks 4. Approved WPD shoes or boots that are shined 5. Black necktie 6. Uniform Cap 7. Duty Jacket, if weather necessitates. B. Department “Class B” Uniform All uniform items must be approved by the Chief of Police or his designee before items can be worn by department personnel. 1. When wearing the approved WPD uniforms, members shall exhibit at least the following: a. Approved WPD shirt, bearing the appropriate badge, shoulder patch, rank insignia, the member’s nameplate, and service tab. b. Approved WPD trousers, worn on the outside of any shoes, boots or overshoes. c. A black trouser belt. d. Black socks, of at least ankle length e. Approved WPD shoes or boots f. Body Armor (in accordance with Regulation 6.109) Policy 214 Department Uniform and Equipment Revised 05/22/2017 Page 1 of 16 Policy 214 DEPARTMENT UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT 2. A list of all approved uniform items will be kept by the Training Bureau and can be found here. 3. The decision to wear a short-sleeved [uniform] shirt or a long-sleeved [uniform] shirt shall be left to the discretion of the individual member, year-round [except for special events for which the Chief of Police designates one or the other]. Either may be worn underneath any official WPD coat. a. When a long-sleeved shirt is worn, the cuffs shall be buttoned, and an approved WPD necktie, mock turtleneck with no logos, or solid black crew neck t-shirt with no logos is required. b. When a short-sleeved shirt is worn, no necktie or mock turtleneck or another type of long-sleeved undergarment is permitted. If an undergarment t-shirt is visible, it must be a black in color crew neck t- shirt with no logos. 4. When in uniform, the decision to wear the approved WPD headgear shall be left to the discretion of the individual member, year-round [except for special events for which the Chief of Police or a Division Commander decrees its wearing mandatory] C. Command Staff Uniform Special dress-uniforms shall be worn by the Chief of Police and commissioned members of Command Staff on certain occasions. The following is a description of the uniform: 1. A staff coat will be issued to all command staff members. The staff coat to be worn shall be navy blue, and shall have a WPD shoulder patch on its left sleeve. Stripes on the staff coat sleeves shall be as follows: a. Chief-Four half-inch stripes shall being three inches from the bottom of the sleeves and be separated by a quarter-inch. b. Deputy Chief-Three half-inch stripes shall begin three inches from the bottom of the sleeves and be separated by a quarter-inch. c. Captain-Two half-inch stripes shall being three inches from the bottom of the sleeves and be separated by a quarter inch. d. Chaplain-One half inch stripe shall being three inches from the bottom of the sleeves. 2. All emblems, badges and decorations, other than rank and “W.P.” insignia, shall be worn on each lapel of the staff coat in the same places Sections S, T, & U dictates that they be worn on the shirt. 3. A long-sleeved white uniform-shirt shall be worn with a regulation necktie; rank insignia shall be worn as well. Policy 214 Department Uniform and Equipment Page 2 of 16 Policy 214 DEPARTMENT UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT 4. Duty-belts are not worn with the Command Staff uniforms. All weapons are to be fully concealed. 5. Uniform caps shall be worn with the Command Staff uniform when appropriate. 6. All other parts of the Command Staff uniform shall comply with Sections A & B. D. Department Standardized Dress Uniform The following guidelines govern the wearing of the Departmental Standardized Dress [DSD] in Bureau’s where DSD’s are authorized. The guidelines are consistent with City of Wichita Standardized Dress Guidelines. 1. The DSD uniform items must be purchased from the member’s clothing allowance. 2. The approved shirts for the DSD are defined specifically by Divisions SOPs but should consist of a button-down, short or long-sleeved shirt with embroidered Department logo on the left breast. 3. Shirt manufacturers, colors, logos, and contrasting embroidery colors for logos are pre-approved, and no modifications, additions, deletions, or changes are allowed without the approval of a Division Commander. 4. Pants or slacks must meet the current City of Wichita Standardized Dress Guidelines. 5. Belt, socks, and shoes must be worn. Denim clothing, athletic shoes of any types and suspenders may not be worn with the DSD. 6. All clothing must be clean, neatly worn, and in a good repair. 7. Exposed firearms must be worn on the belt in a departmentally approved holster (no shoulder harness). The badge will be worn on a badge clip, next to the firearm. Personnel are also required to carry a pair of handcuffs in a handcuff holder and may carry additional magazines and/or any other authorized police equipment, as appropriate. 8. The approved shirt is considered part of a uniform. It is not to be worn while off- duty or at a part-time employment. Only authorized police personnel may wear the standardized dress attire. 9. The standardized dress may be worn to court in the event of unforeseen notification. Typically, personnel will wear clothing outlined in policy regarding court attire. 10. Standardized Dress (where approved) is not mandatory. Personnel may elect to Policy 214 Department Uniform and Equipment Page 3 of 16 Policy 214 DEPARTMENT UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT wear the official WPD uniform or business dress, as appropriate. Personnel wearing the standardized dress have the option of wearing jackets to conceal their firearms. E. WPD Equipment-Duty Belt Equipment All equipment items must be approved by the Chief of Police or his designee before items can be worn by department members. Equipment may be worn on the duty belt in any manner comfortable to the member and acceptable in terms of safety, utility, and appearance; however, all required equipment must be present. Required equipment for Department members is as follows: 1. Patrol Officers, Warrant Officers, and Security Officers: a. The following equipment is required to be worn on the duty belt: a. Handgun and holster b. Handcuffs and holder c. Taser and holder d. Key holder b. The following equipment is required to be worn but does not have to be worn on the duty belt: a. Magazine pouch with two magazines for handguns only b. Department-issued baton and holder [except members who are on administrative duty] c. Aerosol Weapon and holder [except members who are on administrative duty] d. Flashlight and holder e. Radio and holder f. Body worn camera equipment g. Approved utility pouch h. Any carrier not listed above 2. Service Officers and Security Screeners: a. Handcuffs and holder b. Department-issued baton and holder [except members who are on administrative duty] c. Aerosol Weapon and holder [except members who are on administrative duty] F. Exterior Vest Carrier 1. Officers may wear the approved black exterior vest carrier when dressed in the WPD approved Class B uniform. Policy 214 Department Uniform and Equipment Page 4 of 16 Policy 214 DEPARTMENT UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT 2. The WPD approved external vest carrier shall be black in color and have four rows of MOLLE across the front panel. a. Officers may wear the optional POLICE patch on the back of the vest only while executing search warrants. 3. The Department issued badge shall be worn in the designated position on the upper left chest of the external vest carrier. 4. The Department approved nameplate (and “serving since” pin once issued) shall be worn on the designated position on the upper right chest of the external vest carrier. 5. A single black in color writing instrument and a single handcuff key may be worn in the MOLLE webbing of the vest as long as they are dark in color and inconspicuous. 6. The Axon battery pack and associated equipment may be worn on the vest (does not count as a pouch). 7. Officer may wear three (3) approved pouches on the vest. 8. Equipment on the external vest carrier must not interfere with seatbelt operation, or the use of a handgun, rifle, or shotgun. Subject to the interpretation of the supervisor. 9. Departmentally approved pouches may be worn on the external vest carrier. A list of approved pouches can be found here. 10. Officers are allowed one hidden knife on their external vest carrier. 11. Officers are required to keep the external vest carrier clean and in good condition. It is recommended that officers replace the external vest carrier when they replace their ballistic panels. Worn, faded, dirty, or soiled carriers are not permitted. G.